The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

What does your Working Genius look like when you're under stress, and would you even recognize it in yourself?

In episode 110 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat Lencioni, Cody Thompson, and Matt Lencioni explore what happens to each of the six Working Genius types when they're under stress, a state they call being "in the grip." Walking through Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity letter by letter, the team uncovers how each type's greatest strengths can become their most challenging behaviors when unregulated. The conversation closes with a practical and compassionate framework for extending grace to teammates in the grip, recognizing that what looks like a flaw may simply be a strength operating under too much pressure.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00:03) Wonder in the Grip
Pat, Cody, and Matt introduce "in the grip,” what each Working Genius type looks like when strengths become distorted under stress.
The team explores the Wonder type, revealing how natural curiosity can spiral into analysis paralysis, endless questioning, and loss of direction.

(00:05:15) ADHD, Procrastination, and Invention in the Grip
Pat connects Wonder under stress to procrastination and ADHD misdiagnosis.
The team turns to Invention, describing how the drive to generate ideas becomes chaotic under stress.

(00:09:46) Discernment and Galvanizing Under Pressure
The group unpacks Discernment in the grip, how the healthy instinct to evaluate ideas can tip into hypercriticism, cynicism, and judgment under stress.
They move to Galvanizing, exploring how the drive to inspire movement can turn into pushiness and impatience when stress takes hold.

(00:15:41) Enablement and Tenacity When Unregulated
The team explores Enablement in the grip, how the instinct to help can lead to overcommitment, exhaustion, and quiet resentment when the enabler's own needs go unmet.
They turn to Tenacity, noting how discipline and follow-through can slide into rigidity, isolation, and frustration with those perceived as lazy or uncommitted.

(00:20:28) Applying This to Teams, Pairings, and Closing
Pat, Cody, and Matt explore how genius pairs stop working together under stress, and how leaders can use this framework to start grace-filled conversations with struggling team members.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial

Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial
X: https://x.com/patricklencioni

The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Apple: https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u
YouTube: https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).
Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How can you tell which Working Genius pairing defines the company where you work?
In episode 109 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore whether organizations have a dominant Working Genius pairing just like individuals do. Joined by Matthew Lencioni, they test the idea against well known brands and unpack how culture, customer experience, and leadership all point to a company’s natural strengths and blind spots.

Matthew Lencioni is part strategist, part behind the scenes operator, and fully immersed in the world of Working Genius. As a key voice at The Table Group, he helps translate big ideas into practical applications, while also keeping Patrick and Cody honest when their theories start getting a little too comfortable.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00:33) Can a company have a genius?
Patrick introduces the idea that organizations may have dominant Working Genius pairings just like individuals do.
Cody explains that company culture and customer experience often make those pairings visible to employees and customers alike.

(00:05:44) Comparing big brands
Patrick and Cody compare In N Out and Chick fil A to show how similar companies can operate from very different genius pairings.
They argue that In N Out reflects efficient service and execution, while Chick fil A leans more heavily into encouragement and relational energy.

(00:10:40) Starbucks, Shark Tank, and the role of discernment
Patrick and Cody examine Starbucks as a company shaped by discernment and tenacity through curation and operational consistency.
They also debate Shark Tank’s pairing and conclude that its format centers on evaluating opportunities and driving action.

(00:16:57) What WI companies struggle to do
The discussion shifts to wonder and invention, with Patrick and Cody noting that WI organizations may generate brilliant ideas without carrying them into activation or implementation.
They caution that employees with strong WI may need the right environment or the right role to feel fully used and energized.

(00:22:09) Founders, company bias, and practical implications
Patrick and Cody discuss how a founder’s genius can shape a company’s culture, using Dave Ramsey and The Table Group as examples.
Patrick closes by warning leaders not to push out employees with different geniuses, since companies need a fuller range of strengths than their dominant pairing alone provides.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.
The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial

Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial
X: https://x.com/patricklencioni

Stay Connected with Cody Thompson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-thompson-a5918850.

The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

Apple: https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u
YouTube: https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).
Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

Why do people often react defensively when receiving criticism?
In episode 108 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson examine the crucial difference between criticism and constructive feedback. They explain how understanding someone’s Working Genius helps leaders frame feedback to acknowledge strengths while encouraging adjustments when necessary. By leading with appreciation and clarity, feedback becomes a gift that helps people grow rather than a criticism that discourages them.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00:00) Why Feedback Often Feels Like Criticism
Patrick explains why feedback should be filtered through someone’s Working Genius profile.

He argues that without understanding how someone is wired, feedback can unintentionally come across as criticism of their identity.

(00:03:09) The Fundamental Attribution Error
Patrick and Cody explore how people often assume others’ behavior is caused by character flaws rather than natural tendencies.

They explain how recognizing someone’s wiring can lead to more grace and better communication.

(00:07:05) Feedback Through the Lens of Strengths
Cody shares examples of how strengths like invention can be misunderstood as ego or disruption.

Patrick explains how acknowledging strengths before giving feedback allows people to receive the message more openly.

(00:09:06) Real Life Examples of Constructive Feedback
Patrick and Cody discuss examples from client work and personal relationships where feedback was delivered through the Working Genius framework.

They highlight how framing feedback as a gift helps people grow without discouraging their strengths.

(00:13:54) Regulating Strengths Instead of Suppressing Them
Patrick explains that strengths must sometimes be regulated depending on the situation or role.

The episode closes with encouragement to use Working Genius knowledge to give feedback that builds confidence rather than shame.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.
The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial

Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial
X: https://x.com/patricklencioni

The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Apple: https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u
YouTube: https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How does the distance between your strengths affect your stress at work?
In episode 107 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson take a deeper look at what happens when your working geniuses are far apart. While every genius pairing brings value, certain combinations create unique stress that can leave people feeling misunderstood or frustrated.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00:50) Understanding Genius Distance
The idea of having working geniuses that sit far apart in the workflow is explained.
These gaps are shown to create frustration, stress, and misunderstanding for individuals and teams.

(00:03:53) The Stress of Invention to Tenacity
The challenges of jumping directly from ideas to execution are explored.
The importance of patience and collaboration between missing steps in the workflow is highlighted.

(00:08:06) The Tension of Wonder and Enablement
Responsive geniuses are examined, especially the pressure to help before asking necessary questions.
Misunderstanding these patterns can lead to overwhelm, doubt, and internal conflict.

(00:12:35) Practical Ways to Bridge the Gap
Strategies are shared for separating tasks and working within each genius more intentionally.
Communication, patience, and self awareness are emphasized as tools for reducing friction and improving teamwork.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co

What would change if you stopped trying to fix what isn’t broken?
In episode 106 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson unpack how shame often forms around working frustrations that were never meant to define a person’s value or capability. They explain how misunderstanding your wiring can lead to burnout, striving, and the belief that something is wrong with you. By reframing frustrations as part of how you were designed, the episode offers relief, freedom, and dignity at work and in life.

Topics explored in this episode:

(02:01) Relief from Lifelong Guilt and Burnout
* How some leaders carry decades of shame around their working frustrations.
* Discovering your working frustrations brings freedom.

(03:41) Striving Against the Grain
* Shame often leads people to work harder at the wrong things for years.
* Understanding wiring helps people stop swimming upstream in work and relationships.

(05:47) Strengths and Weaknesses Are Linked
* Viewing frustrations in isolation leads to shame, while context brings clarity.

(09:29) Releasing Guilt and Embracing Design
* Embracing your working frustrations without self-criticism.
* Freedom comes from knowing you were never meant to be good at everything.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.